LE SSERAFIM Draws Absurd Criticism After Video Taken in Japan — Is It HYBE's Fault?

LE SSERAFIM faced ridiculous hateful comments for taking a group video in Japan. Did HYBE set them up?

On May 29, an Instagram reel was uploaded on LE SSERAFIM's official account featuring the 5 members in front of Mt. Fuji in Japan.

The caption said:

"FEARNOTs, let's gather with fim-doongies to see Mt. Fuji!"

Upon uploading, the video attracted 7.3M views and about 300k likes (as of writing) where they can be seen smiling brightly and making a V pose with the mountain in the background.

The video appears to have been taken during the filming of "LE SSERAFIM's DAY OFF Season 4 in JAPAN," the group's solo content released by episode on its official YouTube channel. On the same day, episode 5 of the entertainment show was also released.

Despite the amount of views and likes, most comments were negative, ridiculously hating the members for taking a video in front of Mt. Fuji in Japan.

ALSO READ: 'Disaster'? LE SSERAFIM Being 'Rejected' By University Festivals Discussed By K-Netz

In particular, Korean netters left comments such as:

• "Yeah, just go to Japan."
• "You'd get hate just for being on Hallasan or Seongsan Ilchulbong but they're actually on Mount Fuji."
• "Why are you being like this again?"
• "Why does Japan exist when everyone else is making money while enjoying festivals?"
• "Instead of mountain sightseeing, just go and practice your singing a bit."

Amid this criticism for various reasons, FEARNOTs (fandom) immediately defended the five members and wrote:

• "What's wrong with taking pictures while traveling to Japan?"
• "Please do something about it."
• "Stop criticizing LE SSERAFIM."

The fandom then blamed HYBE for setting LE SSERAFIM up by posting the video now, even if they are aware that Koreans are calculating and criticizing every move of the quintet.

What is worse was they uploaded a video from Japan, a country South Koreans felt animosity with.

While the members weren't at fault, they were being targeted due to HYBE's timing.

Fans expressed frustration, saying:

• "Their company is their anti."
• "The company can't read the room."
• "It's really amazing that you don't pay attention at all."

Amid controversies involving LE SSERAFIM, its label Source Music announced in March:

"We are taking regular legal action against authors of malicious posts such as insults to LE SSERAFIM, sexual harassment, spread of false information, malicious slander, and defamation.

As the personality rights of artists, including minor members, are being seriously violated, we are taking strict action against malicious posts regardless of channels such as SNS and online communities."

READ MORE: Japanese Media Claims Hate Towards LE SSERAFIM Is Due To Anti-Japanese Sentiments in Korea

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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz